Cushioned wheel.



J. F. FRANKLIN & B. S. SOWELL.

GUSHIONED WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED we. 7, 191a.

witness as IDRRIS PETERS CO..PH010-LITHO., WASHINGTON. 0. CV

Patented M51122, 1915.

JOHN IE. FRANKLIN, 0F PICAYUNE, AND BUBR S. GOWELL, 0F MFlRIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI.

CUSI-IIONED WHEEL.

Application filed August 7, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN F. FRANKLIN and Bone SHEPARD CownLL, citizens of the United States, residing at Picayune, in the county of Pearl River, and Meridian, in the county of Lauderdale, respectively, both in the State of Mississippi, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cushioned Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

Our present invention pertains to cushioned wheels; and it consists in the peculiar and advantageous arrangement of cushioning means between the rim of the wheel and an annulus with respect to which the rim is adapted to move, as hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification: Figure 1 is a view showing a wheel constructed in accordance with our invention and embodying a circular series of springs interposed between the inner annulus and the rim. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the rim, showing the telescoping relation of the side plates, and the cylindrical form of the anti-friction members.

Referring by numeral to said drawing: 1 is the inner annulus of our novel wheel. Surrounding and spaced from the annulus 1 is a rim 2, and this latter may, if deemed expedient, be equipped with a solid rubber tire 3, held in position in the conventional manner.

In addition to the elements named, the wheel may be and preferably is provided -with side plates, designed to exclude dust from and otherwise protect the springs hereinafter referred to. The said side plates are annular in form and are connected in any approved manner to the inner annulus 1. One of the said plates is illustrated in Fig. 1 and both in Fig. 2, and numbered l, and we would here have it understood that the said plates are of such width as not to interfere with radial movement of the rim 2 with respect to the annulus 1 and vice versa.

The invention chiefly resides in the arrangement of the springs between the annulus 1 and the rim 2. Six'sets of springs are illustrated in Fig. 1. The sets of springs are identical and therefore a detailed description of the set shown at the bottom of Fig. 1 will suffice to impart a definite understanding of all. The set referred to com- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Serial No. 783,596.

prises a bowed or curvilinear spring 5 and a convolute spring 6, the latter extending outwardly from the middle of the curvilinear spring as clearly appears in the drawing. At its inner end the convolute sprlng bears against the outer side of the bowed spring 5, and at its outer end said convolute spring bears against a shoe 7. The said shoe, in turn, bears outwardly against transversely arranged rollers 8. These rollers bear in the inner side of the rim 2 and they serve to practically eliminate all friction incidental to the inward and outward movements of the rim as well as the limited movement of the rim about the annulus when the wheel is traveling over a roadway. The curvilinear or bowed spring 5 is connected at 5 to and strongly bears at its middle against the perimeter of the inner annulus 1, and its end portions are arranged to bear outwardly against antifriction rollers 9 which serve the same function hereinbefore ascribed to the rollers 8. Fixed to the inner side of the rim 2 and arranged adjacent the ends of the curvilinear springs 5 are stops 10, designed to afiord abutments to the ends of the spring 5 and in that way limit movement of the rim 2 relative to the annulus 1 and vice versa.

It will be manifest from the foregoing that a wheel embodying a plurality of sets of curved and convolute springs and their appurtenances is cushioned to such an extent that the transmission of shock and jar from the rim 2 to the annulus 1 and the vehicle with which the latter is connected is effectually prevented. It will also be gathered that the springs and their appurtenances are strong and durable and are not liable to become deranged during the use of the wheel. When, however, it is necessary for repair or other purposes, access can be readily gained to the springs by removing one of the side plates hereinbefore alluded to.

In the practical use of our invention we would have it understood that aside from our novel features, the wheel may embrace any conventional or other features not incompatible with the cushioning of the wheel in accordance with our invention as described and claimed.

Notwithstanding the practical advantages hereinbefore ascribed to our novel wheel, it will be observed that the same is simple,

compact and durable in construction and is not liable to render a wheel cumbersome or unsightly in appearance.

Having described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

The herein described wheel, consisting essentially of an inner annulus; a rim surrounding and spaced from the inner annulus and having spaced stops fixed to and extending inwardly from its inner side, a series of sets of cushioning devices surrounding the inner annulus and interposed at intervals between the same and the rim, each set being made up of a bowed spring bearing at its middle against and connected to the perimeter of the inner annulus and having its ends arranged adjacent and opposed to two of the fixed stops on the rim, whereby undue movement of the rim about the inner annulus is prevented, anti-friction rollers bearing in transverse seats in the rim and interposed between the same and the outer sides of the end portions of the bowed spring, .a shoe arranged adjacent and spaced from the inner side of the'rim, anti-friction rollers arranged in transverse seats in the rim and disposed between the same and the outer side of the shoe, and a radially disposed convolute spring extending between and bearing against the outer side of the middle portion of the bowed spring and the inner side of the shoe at the middle thereof; and annular side plates connected to opposite sides of the inner annulus and snugly receiving the rim between them to permit movement of the rim toward and from the inner annulus while preventing lateral displacement or movement of the rim.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JNO. F. FRANKLIN. BURR S. COWELL. Witnesses:

G. C. HUNTER, BENJ. RoBINsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, .D. C. 

